Retirement Planning Strategies - January 2022

Retirement Planning Strategies - January 2022

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JANUARY 2022

HEALTHY, WEALTHY,

&Wise

1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225

YOU DON’T HAVE TO STRIVE ALONE! THE UNIVERSE HAS YOUR BACK

I first learned about the magic of the universe 14 years ago, when I had just finished my first year as a business owner. It happened during a meeting with my business coach. I’d hired her the year before to help me create a strategic plan for my company. During that initial meeting, we laid out targets and goals for the year ahead. I wrote down the growth I wanted to achieve, the number of clients I wanted to bring onboard, and the topic I wanted to become knowledgeable in during the coming year (Social Security). I didn’t have a single employee at the time. Then, I put the plan in a drawer and didn’t look at it again for the next 12 months. That wasn’t what my business coach had in mind for the document. But when the anniversary of our first meeting arrived 14

years ago and I brought the plan to her office, I discovered that even flying blind, I’d checked off every single thing on the list! I was so proud that I admitted I’d let the plan gather dust. “You did a great job,” my coach said, giving me a look, “but imagine what would have happened if you had looked at it throughout the year.” That was my first introduction to the idea that something remarkable happens when you set a goal: The universe listens and works to help you achieve it! I thought back on that moment today while listening to a Darin Hardy podcast. In it, Darin explained that every entrepreneur has two things in common: They’re always striving to improve (he calls this the growth mindset), and they always set goals. He also mentioned that same lesson about the universe.

This year, one of my professional resolutions is to become experienced in student

loan forgiveness and use that knowledge to benefit my clients. (Stay tuned for more on that in future newsletters.) Now that I’ve set the goal, I know the universe will help me achieve it — and I’ll help myself, too, instead of putting the plan in a drawer. I’d highly encourage you to lean into the urge to set your own goals this month. Don’t let the negativity surrounding New Year’s resolutions in the media discourage you! Even if it’s true that most resolutions fail, that doesn’t mean yours will be one of them. Sometimes facts can be deployed as toxic bombs, and I’ve seen that all too often in the news lately. Negativity might sell, but it isn’t the currency that makes the world go round. This month, stay positive, stay true to yourself, and keep your eyes on the prize. The universe will do the rest.

“IT’S IN OUR NATURE AS HUMANS TO STRIVE FOR IMPROVEMENT, GROWTH, AND CHANGE. WE WANT TO BE BETTER PEOPLE, AND THE UNIVERSE WANTS THAT FOR US, TOO.”

“As soon as you set a goal, things start to fall into place,” he said.

In my mind, this is why so many of us set New Year’s resolutions. It’s in our nature as humans to strive for improvement, growth, and change. We want to be better people, and the universe wants that for us, too. Resolutions are a tool to help us get there.

Happy New Year!

–Ann Vanderslice

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3 Benefits of Stretching

IMPROVED BALANCE AND POSTURE Strong posture and balance are essential for both everyday activities and athletic performance. Good posture is necessary for spine health, and you need good balance to do everything from walking down the street to standing and sitting. The flexibility gained through stretching improves the muscles that are needed for correct posture, and you will also increase your range of motion. RELAXATION AND REDUCED PAIN There are also certain stretches that help lengthen and open your muscles. When your muscles are looser and relaxed, you’re less likely to feel pain or experience muscle cramps. Stretching can work wonders for people suffering from lower back pain. This pain is often caused by tight muscles, and stretching will loosen them and relieve that pain. Stretching can also help your mind loosen up and unwind, which will relieve stress and improve your mood.

We’ve all been advised to stretch before working out or performing physical activities. However, some recent studies have cautioned against this practice, claiming it may lead to an increased chance of getting injured. Regardless, this does not mean you should cut stretching out of your life completely. Stretching is not just for athletes. Everyone can benefit from this practice, and there are many advantages that come with improving your flexibility. Getting in the habit of stretching after you wake up and before you go to bed can benefit many aspects of your overall health.

Here are our top three benefits!

REDUCED RISK OF INJURY If your muscles are tight and you start working out, your chance of injury increases. Stretching helps to loosen your muscles and allows them to move easier. This still does not mean you should stretch right before working out, but by creating a routine where you stretch in the morning or at night (or both!), your muscles will stay looser, helping prevent muscle strains and tears.

BRINGING BACK A LOST ART Your Guide to Writing a Thank-You Note

A 2019 survey by Ask Your Target Market showed 80% of respondents appreciate receiving thank-you notes — but only 22% of respondents report regularly sending them. That’s a pretty big discrepancy. During the holiday season, you probably received several gifts and may have been hosted at a family member’s house, so now is the perfect time to revive the dying art of the thank-you note. If it’s been a while since you last wrote one, fear not. Here’s everything you need to know to get started. Know When a Note Is Needed. You should strongly consider sending a thank-you note any time you receive a gift, but they are particularly expected after big events like weddings or showers. It’s also good form to send a note whenever someone has done you a big favor or hosted you at their house. Professionally, thank-you notes should always be sent after job interviews. Notes should be sent as soon as possible, ideally within one month of the gift or event. Use Paper. It may seem old-fashioned, but that’s exactly what makes it special. In fact, the Ask Your Target Market survey found that 72% of respondents thought handwritten notes were more meaningful than electronic ones. Even if your handwriting is messy,

your recipients will appreciate the personal touch. Exceptions apply for thank-you notes sent after job interviews — due to time sensitivity, these are best sent via email. Be Specific. Especially when you’ve got a large stack to get through, it’s pretty tempting to write the same note over and over again, changing only the salutation. Don’t give in! While it’s fine to have a template, recipients will recognize when the note you sent them is generic. Be sure to mention exactly what you’re thankful for (not just “the gift”) or how you plan to use the gift. Now, you’re ready to let people know how much you appreciate them in a way that’s both simple and classic. Your family, friends, and colleagues will be impressed, and who knows, you just might start a trend.

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Easy, Affordable Ways to Embrace Nature in Your Home

Thanks to the chaos we’ve experienced since 2020, many design experts are looking to create spaces that are calm, welcoming, and grounded. Enter one of the biggest design trends of the 2020s: neutral, natural elements.

pieces, while lots of clever crafters have made wreaths, scent diffusers, and other fun items with pine cones found in their yard. Just be mindful of what you take from nature. Don’t take anything of value to the ecosystem, and don’t grab items from state or national parks. Finally, utilize windows. Part of embracing natural design elements is letting nature do the talking! Focus your design in each room around windows. For instance, fix plant displays near windows or hang bird feeders in trees you can see through your windows. If you really want to get cozy with the outdoors, consider installing a skylight! To find more inspiration, take a walk and discover how Mother Nature has designed her space. Bring those ideas into your home and enjoy the comfort of the great outdoors within your own great indoors.

Here are some easy ways to bring nature inside and boost your home’s look without overspending.

The obvious option is to add more houseplants. And plants don’t have to be difficult! Consider your home space, first. How much light do you get? Is it a dry or humid home? How likely is it that you will remember to water a plant? Bring these concerns to your local nursery, and they will help you find the perfect leafy friend(s) to fill your space. Then, opt for pieces that won’t decay. When choosing new decor for your home or when updating your knickknacks for the seasons, look for wooden or natural items that don’t have a life cycle. Fake plants, wooden statues and picture frames, and piles of stones or vases with rocks can bring the richness of the great outdoors into your home with little effort and can be reused each season. Now, look to your backyard! If you have a big pine tree that produces pine cones each year, don’t let those go to waste! Baskets or vases filled with pine cones can be great fall and winter decor

BRAIN! Train Your

Chicken and Leek Filo Pie

INGREDIENTS

• 3 oz unsalted butter, divided • 2 large leeks, finely sliced • 2 large carrots, finely chopped • 1 tbsp flour • 14 oz chicken stock, warmed

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp heavy cream • 12 oz cooked chicken, cut into chunks • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed 7. In a pan, melt remaining butter. 8. Put a single filo sheet on a board and brush with melted butter. Scrunch up pastry sheet and place on top of chicken mixture. Continue until pie is covered. 9. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the filo is golden and chicken mixture is bubbling.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a pan over low heat, melt 1 oz butter. 3. Add leeks and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, until softened but not colored. 4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. 5. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring until sauce is smooth, then let simmer for 10 minutes. 6. Stir in mustard and heavy cream, then add cooked chicken and parsley. Transfer to a large ovenproof dish.

Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com

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Ann Vanderslice Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is an independent financial services firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or any governmental agency. E.A. Buck is an independent financial services firm, offering investment and insurance products to consumers. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance services offered through Ann Vanderslice Federal Benefits Made Simple an E.A. Buck Company. MAS, AEWM, and Ann Vanderslice Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck company are all separate entities. 1169550 01/22.

issue INSIDE THIS The True Magic of the Universe PAGE 1

Get Stretching!

The Lost Art of the Thank-You Note PAGE 2

Add More Nature toYour Home in 4 SimpleWays!

Chicken and Leek Filo Pie PAGE 3

Why Do Your Ears Pop on Flights? PAGE 4

AIRPLANE EARS The Science Behind Your Ears Popping on Flights

When it comes to flying on an airplane, you can avoid cramped legs by upgrading to first class or catch a view by picking the window seat. However, there’s no getting around your ears popping during takeoff and landing. Believe it or not, there is a scientific explanation behind this common annoyance. As you read this, you’re likely not on an airplane, and the air pressure on either side of your eardrums is equal. Air is currently passing right on through your eustachian tube, a narrow passage that leads from your middle ear cavity to your pharynx and allows for pressure to be equalized on each side of your eardrums. When you’re in flight on an airplane, air pressure is not equal. During both ascent and descent, your eardrums stretch to try to adapt to the changes. In order to equalize the pressure, your eustachian tube needs to open and close. When it does, your ears pop! Usually, the ear popping is irritating but nothing more. However, in rare cases, the pressure can lead to ear pain and even loss in hearing, especially if your ears don’t pop. In this case, you may need to make an effort to get your eustachian tube to open by yawning, talking, or swallowing. Sucking on a piece of candy, swallowing some water, or chewing

gum may also help! One of the best things you can do is make sure you are not sleeping as the airplane takes off or lands because your eustachian tube isn’t able to open and close normally. If you commonly struggle with congestion or sore ears on flights, taking a nasal decongestant before you board may ensure that your eustachian tube is not blocked. If your hearing and ears do not return to normal shortly after the flight, be sure to schedule an appointment to see your health care professional as soon as possible.

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